Millikin and Disney – A Continuing Connection with Millikin students and alumni from the Classes of 2017, 2016, 2019 and 2003.
The late Herbert Ryman, Millikin Class of 1931 and a good friend of Walt Disney, was also an artist and imagineer for Disney, working closely with Walt to develop the original designs for Disneyland. As Chief Designer,
Ryman created the iconic Sleeping Beauty castle for Disneyland and the Cinderella castle for Disney World, along with several other designs for both theme parks.
Ryman would have been proud to see how today’s Big Blue students and alumni continue Millikin’s connection with Disney. In January, Millikin Professor Jana Henry Funderburk led a group of students on an immersion class to Walt Disney World over the holiday break. The students were inspired by meeting five Millikin alumni who work at Disney in various areas, as well as two other alumni who work for other entertainment companies.
Pictured above –
Front row from left: Allie Wilson, Class of 2017, works in Disney Attractions; Shay Davis, Class of 2016 and LEGOLAND employee; Michael Wade, Class of 2017, works in Disney Costumes; Millikin Associate of the School of Theatre and Dance Professor Matthew Albrecht; and Ajay Davis, Millikin student.
Second row: Shiho Todo, MU student; Samson Callear, Class of 2019, works in Disney Costumes; MU Professor Jana Henry Funderburk; Jamie Kern, Class of 2003, is a Disney Imagineer working on a new Monsters, Inc. Land; and MU student Savanah Schwartz.
Third row: Natalie Grote, MU student; Emilio Canals, Class of 2019, and a Disney Imagineer in Animatronics who previously worked on Disney’s Tiara’s Bayou Adventure and a refresh of The Country Bears Jamboree; Terria Cook, MU student; and Stanley Natonek, Class of 2017, who works at Cirque du Soleil.
Back row: MU students Jonas Tehonica and Declan Gleeson.